Resumo Em uma escala global o Sorghum bicolor (L.) é uma das culturas mais importantes, ocupando o quinto lugar entre todos os cereais. É cultivada na África, Ásia, Oceania e Américas, onde serve como fonte de alimento e ração para humanos e animais, respectivamente. No entanto, a produção é limitada por vários fatores, incluindo pragas e doenças. Entre as pragas que atacam o sorgo, Schizaphis graminum (Rondani), comumente chamado de pulgão verde dos cereais, é a praga mais destrutiva do sorgo. O dano de S. graminum ao sorgo é agravado pelo déficit hídrico que favorece sua ocorrência. Informações limitadas sobre a distribuição espacial da praga e seus inimigos naturais impedem o desenvolvimento de estratégias de manejo ecologicamente corretas. Portanto, o objetivo desta pesquisa foi determinar a distribuição espaço-temporal de S. graminum e seu inimigo natural Coccinella septempunctata (L.) durante a fase vegetativa e reprodutiva da cultura por meio de análise geoestatística. A distribuição espaço-temporal de S. graminum foi influenciada pelo estágio de desenvolvimento do sorgo, paisagem circundante e presença de seu principal predador C. septempunctata. Além disso, a abundância de C. septempunctata foi influenciada pela densidade de S. graminum. Os resultados deste estudo são necessários para o desenvolvimento de estratégias sustentáveis de manejo de pragas contra S. graminum.

Abstract At the global level, Sorghum bicolor (L.), is one of the most important crops, which ranks fifth among all cereals. It is cultivated in Africa, Asia, Oceania and the Americas, where it serves as a source of food and feed for humans and animals, respectively. However, production is constrained by several factors including pests and diseases. Among the pests that are known to attack Sorghum, Schizaphis graminum (Rondani), commonly called the green cereal aphid, is the most destructive pest of sorghum. S. graminum damage to sorghum is worsen by water deficit which favors its occurrence. Limited information on the spatial distribution of the pest and its natural enemies impedes the development of ecologically friendly management strategies. Therefore, the objective of this research was to determine the spatiotemporal distribution of S. graminum and its natural enemy Coccinella septempunctata (L.) during the vegetative and reproductive stage of the crop using geostatistical analysis. The spatiotemporal distribution of S. graminum was influenced by Sorghum development stage, surrounding landscape, and presence of its main predator C. septempunctata. Moreover, the abundance of C. septempunctata was influenced by the density of S. graminum. The findings from this study are required for developing sustainable pest management strategies against S. graminum.

Abstract Areas of high concentration of seal carcasses have been observed in localized areas of James Ross Island, Antarctica. Such carcasses show an unusual vegetation development, in a semi-arid area with bare soils under intense winds, high salinity and sandy texture. We investigated carcasses of seals around a lake in James Ross Island, with four different stages of decomposition, with three replicates: Seal (S01), with recently mummified carcasses; S02, with partially degraded carcasses; S03, with broken carcasses with partially degraded exposed bones, and S04, with completely broken, scattered skeletons. The vegetation showed a maximum degree of development in carcasses at stages S02 and S03, with the environment between the skin and the skeleton as the preferred place for vegetation establishment. The chemical alteration was greater with increasing carcass decomposition but reduced with the spreading and final decomposition of the bones, with anomalous values observed only in the vicinity of the carcasses. It is concluded that the presence of carcasses of seals, concentrated in wet places, even in a semi-desert climate, represent important oases of nutrients, with a combination of physical and chemical effects throughout the decomposition process that favor plant establishment and succession.

Abstract Understanding the influence of soil-forming factors and processes in ornithogenic soils is important to predict impacts of climate change on Antarctic ecosystems. Herein, we analyzed the soil-landscape interplays and development of ornithogenic soils at Harmony Point (HP), Nelson Island. We collected, described, and classified 24 soil profiles, combined with vegetation and landforms descriptions. Geoprocessing techniques were employed for mapping. Soil physical, chemical, geochemical, and mineralogical analyses were applied. Patterned ground, “Ornithogenic”/Typic Gelorthent, and moss carpets were the dominant landform, soil and vegetation classes, respectively. Soils from rocky outcrops were more structured, acidic, with higher organic carbon, organometallic complexes, and secondary phosphate minerals, due to former bird influence. Soils from cryoplanated platforms presented higher water pH, base saturation, clay content, and secondary silicate minerals. Soils from marine terraces presented high exchangeable bases, phosphorous, and amorphous phosphate minerals. Soil chemical weathering is enhanced by ornithogenesis and widespread in HP. Besides ornithogenesis, organic matter accumulation, cryoturbation, and cryoclastic processes are also important to pedogenesis of ornithogenic soils. The soils of the cryoplanated platforms exhibited a gradient of pedogenetic development corresponding to increasing biota influence and distance from glacier. In contrast, soils of rocky outcrops were more developed even close to the glacier, due to ornithogenesis.

The study of the spectrum of light has increased its range of action in the field of chemistry, with the help of several advanced equipment and innovative techniques that have become a strong ally of analytical chemistry. However, the simplicity of obtaining results integrated with mobile devices appears as an interesting path to be taken in the field of chemical analysis. This work addresses the dissemination of an application called REDGIM for smartphones on the Android platform capable of working with multivariate image analysis using chemometric methods through the luminous intensities of photos and R (red), G (green) and B (blue) channels. In order to show the potential of REDGIM, we propose two applications using the partial least squares (PLS) regression method: 1) quantification of free chlorine in tap water; and 2) quantification of cannabinol, (CBN, a type of cannabinoid) in marijuana and hashish samples. The free chlorine concentration obtained for two investigated samples was 0.73 and 0.74 mg L-1 and 0.74 and 0.76 mg L-1 by the spectrophotometer and by the application (container: cuvette), respectively. For the quantification of CBN in marijuana and hashish samples, the mean concentration ranged from 6.137 to 8.823 mg mL-1. The results obtained by the application are compatible with results from traditional techniques, such as UV-Vis spectrophotometry, for example. Therefore, REDGIM was proved to be a simple and accessible technological tool for the scientific community, being viable for chemical tests of a multivariate nature.

Resumo Atualmente, os anestésicos disponíveis para peixes podem produzir efeitos colaterais importantes, incluindo parada respiratória e sofrimento. Alternativas de fácil implementação e baixa toxicidade são necessárias para garantir a saúde dos peixes, bem como para auxiliar a pesca artesanal e os vendedores de pescado no manuseio e transporte do pescado, e as plantas nativas parecem ser a melhor alternativa. Nosso objetivo foi implementar um protocolo anestésico utilizando extratos etanólicos brutos de flores e folhas de duas plantas amazônicas, Acmella oleracea e Piper alatabaccum. Primeiro testamos os extratos para anestesia, usando o peixe-zebra como modelo. Embora em alguns tratamentos os animais aparentemente tenham entrado em anestesia profunda, muitos deles apresentaram comportamentos aberrantes e até morreram. Assim, realizamos novos experimentos testando os efeitos dos extratos em epilepsia dos peixes. Apenas o extrato de folhas de A. oleracea tem efeitos potenciais para anestesia de peixes. Tanto o extrato de flores desta planta quanto o extrato de folhas de P. alatabaccum induziram um comportamento semelhante a convulsões nos animais. Em conclusão, além de trazer um possível novo protocolo anestésico para peixes, nosso trabalho chama a atenção para os efeitos neurotóxicos que as soluções anestésicas podem causar, uma vez que vários estudos defendem outras espécies de Piper como anestésico para peixes e o extrato de flores de A. oleracea já foi apontado como anestésico para peixe.

Abstract Currently, available fish anesthetics can produce important side effects, including respiratory arrest and distress. Easy-to-implement alternatives with low toxicity are needed to ensure fish health as well as to help artisanal fisheries and fish sellers in handling and transporting fishes, and native plants seems to be the best alternative. We aimed to implement an anesthetic protocol using crude ethanolic extracts from flowers and leaves of two Amazonian plants, the Acmella oleracea and Piper alatabaccum. We first tested the extracts for anesthesia, using the zebrafish as model. Even though in some treatments the animals apparently entered deep anesthesia, many of them presented aberrant behaviors and even died. Thus, we performed new experiments testing the extracts effects on seizure-like behaviors of the fish. Only the leaf extract of A. oleracea has potential effects for fish anesthesia. Both the flower extract from this plant and the leaf extract from P. alatabaccum induced seizure-like behavior in the animals. In conclusion, besides bringing a possible new anesthetic protocol for fish, our work draws attention for the neurotoxic effects the anesthetic solutions may cause, since several studies defend other Piper species as anesthetic for fish and A. oleracea flowers’ extract was already pointed as fish anesthetic.

Resumo Embora atualmente exista um conjunto de estudos sobre aspectos ecológicos de algumas espécies de répteis e de anfíbios que ocorrem nas planícies costeiras arenosas brasileiras (incluindo os chamados habitats de “restinga” e de “campo nativo”), há relativamente poucas informações sobre a composição de espécies geralmente associada a esses ambientes. Durante 31 anos (1988-2019) de estudos herpetológicos realizados em restingas por nossa equipe de pesquisa do Laboratório de Ecologia de Vertebrados (Departamento de Ecologia, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil) nós estudamos comunidades de répteis e de anfíbios e realizamos diferentes estudos com métodos semelhantes em 70 localidades de dez diferentes Estados ao longo da costa brasileira. Nossas pesquisas resultaram em registros de 87 espécies de répteis (cinco tartarugas, dois crocodilianos, seis anfisbênios, 36 lagartos e 39 serpentes) de 24 famílias, e 77 espécies de anfíbios anuros de nove famílias. Estudamos vários tópicos de história natural sobre anuros e répteis, que resultaram na publicação de alguns estudos ecológicos específicos, especialmente em relação a algumas espécies, abrangendo ecologia populacional e de comunidades, forrageamento e dieta, horário de atividade de espécies, termorregulação, reprodução, uso do microhabitat e parasitismo por ecto e endoparasitas. Nossos resultados ao longo dessas três décadas também contribuíram para a descrição de quatro novas espécies de lagartos (Ameivula nativo, Glaucomastix littoralis, G. abaetensis e G. itabaianensis). Nossos estudos constituem uma importante contribuição para o conhecimento da ecologia de répteis e de anfíbios anuros nesses ecossistemas, bem como para a conservação dos ecossistemas de restinga. A lista de espécies apresentada neste estudo, com base em nossos registros de herpetofauna das planícies costeiras arenosas, fornece para muitas localidades ao longo da costa brasileira o conhecimento necessário sobre a ocorrência de espécies, incluindo a presença de espécies endêmicas e/ ou ameaçadas de extinção, que podem ser úteis para muitas ações de conservação.

Abstract Although currently there is already a set of studies regarding ecological aspects of some particular reptile and amphibian species living in Brazilian sandy coastal plains (including the so-called “restinga” and “campo nativo” habitats), there is comparatively few information on the species composition usually associated to these environments. During 31 years (1988-2019) of herpetological studies carried out in sandy coastal plains environments by our research team of the Laboratory of Vertebrate Ecology (Department of Ecology, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, in Rio de Janeiro Brazil) we have surveyed reptile and amphibian communities and performed different studies with similar methods in 70 sites from 10 different states along the Brazilian coast. Our surveys resulted in records of 87 species of reptile (five turtles, two crocodylians, six amphisbaenians, 36 lizards and 39 snakes) from 24 families, and 77 species of anuran amphibians from nine families. We have studied multiple natural history topics for anurans and reptiles which resulted in the publication of some specific ecological studies, especially regarding some species, encompassing population and community ecology, foraging and feeding habits, species activity, thermoregulation, reproduction, use of microhabitats, and parasitism by ecto and endoparasites. Our results along these three decades have also contributed for the description of four new lizard species (Ameivula nativo, Glaucomastix littoralis, G. abaetensis and G. itabaianensis). Our studies constitute an important contribution to the knowledge of the ecology of anuran amphibians and reptiles in these ecosystems, as well as to the conservation of sandy coastal plains environment. The checklist presented in this study, based on our records of sandy coastal plains herpetofauna, provides for many localities along the Brazilian coast, the needed knowledge on species occurrence, including the presence of endemic and/or endangered species, which can be of value for many conservation actions.

Resumo Este trabalho apresenta a utilização e proposição de técnica de identificação e localização de danos, por meio de modelos numéricos, adotando-se o método de localização de danos por meio da Diferença de Curvatura Modal (DCM) como referência para análise de uma estrutura de concreto biapoiada. Em seguida, apresenta-se uma proposta de formulação empírica capaz de localizar danos nesta estrutura. Neste método, denominado Diferença das Somatórias das Acelerações (DSA), calcula-se a diferença das amplitudes de aceleração em estruturas íntegras e com dano, representadas por placas de concreto sobre apoios de borracha nas extremidades. O modelo numérico foi elaborado com auxílio do pacote computacional em Elementos Finitos SAP2000®. Por meio destas técnicas conclui-se que é possível determinar a posição aproximada de um ou mais danos, com algumas restrições, tendo o método proposto (DSA), baseado na alteração da amplitude de aceleração, apresentando bons resultados na localização de um único dano e de múltiplos danos.

Abstract This paper presents the use of numerical model techniques for identification and damage location adopting the Modal Curvature Difference (MCD) method as reference for the analysis of a simply supported concrete structure. Then, an empirical formulation to detect damages in this structure is proposed. In this method, called Acceleration Summation Difference (ASD), the difference of acceleration amplitude between intact and damaged structures are calculated for concrete plates simply supported on rubber bearings. During the analyses, the finite element models were developed using SAP2000® software. The results obtained depicted that it is possible to determine the approximate position of one or more damages in the structure, with some restrictions, and the proposed ASD method presented good correlation to localize the position of single or multiple damages.

RESUMO A produção de mudas de clone de Coffea arabica L. é uma das alternativas de maior demanda para cafeicultores, existindo programas de melhoramento através da técnica de embriogênese somática, no entanto, os clones apresentam dificuldades de pegamento na fase de aclimatação em casa de vegetação elevando custo de produção. Uma alternativa testada com resultados promissores é a inoculação com fungos micorrízicos arbusculares (FMA) durante o processo de aclimatação das mudas. Assim, o objetivo deste trabalho foi promover a melhoria do processo de produção de mudas através de embriogênese somática associada a inoculação com fungos micorrízicos arbusculares. Para a produção dos clones, plântulas foram utilizadas quando apresentaram quatro pares de folhas (clone 1 “Frutificação vermelha Catucaí” e clone 2 “Acauã”) produzidos e desenvolvidos em biorreatores “embriogênese somática” e quando levadas para o viveiro inoculadas com Rhizophagus clarus, Gigaspora margarita e Acaulospora mellea, a mistura de R. clarus e G. margarita e a mistura de R. clarus, G. margarita e A. mellea. Após seis meses foram avaliados os parâmetros agronômicos, teores de nutrientes foliar e a colonização micorrizica nas raízes. Os clones se comportaram diferentemente quando inoculados com o FMAs, sendo que o clone 1, o que apresentou melhor desenvolvimento no viveiro determinadas pelos parâmetros agronômicos, sendo indicada na produção de mudas clonais vigorosas qu, ando associado a inoculação com fungos micorrízicos arbusculares.

ABSTRACT The production of Coffea arabica L. clone seedlings through the somatic embryogenesis technique is one of the alternatives of greatest demand for coffee producers. However, clones can face difficulties related to acclimatization carried out under greenhouse conditions, which can increase the production costs. A tested alternative with promising results is inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) during the seedling acclimatization process. Thus, this study aimed to promote the improvement of the seedling production process through somatic embryogenesis associated with inoculation with AMF. For the production of the clones, seedlings were used in the phase when they presented four pairs of leaves (Clone 1 “Fruiting red Catucaí” and Clone 2 “Acauã”), using “somatic embryogenesis” bioreactors, followed by inoculation with Rhizophagus clarus, Gigaspora margarita and Acaulospora mellea, a mixture of R. clarus and G. margarita and a mixture of R. clarus, G. margarita and A. mellea. After six months, agronomic parameters, leaf nutrient contents and root mycorrhizal colonization were evaluated. The studied clones behaved differently when inoculated with AMFs. Clone 1 showed the best development in the greenhouse, which was determined by the agronomic parameters. Thus, Clone 1 is indicated for the production of vigorous seedlings when associated with inoculation with AMFs.

RESUMO Os impactos da mecanização agrícola e o manejo do solo na atividade canavieira podem comprometer o crescimento das plantas. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o crescimento inicial da cana-de-açúcar (Saccharum spp.) sob densidades do solo em duas condições de salinidade, associado ao intervalo hídrico ótimo (IHO) e obter a densidade crítica para o Espodossolo. Os tratamentos consistiram da utilização de cinco densidades de solo (1,40; 1,50; 1,60; 1,70 e 1,80 Mg m-3) e duas condições de salinidade do solo (CEes = 0,5 e 3,0 dS m-1). Realizaram-se medições de variáveis morfológicas e massa vegetal das plantas de cana-de-açúcar e paralelamente coletaram-se amostras indeformadas de solo nas camadas de 0,02-0,08 m, para determinação da curva de retenção de água, da resistência do solo à penetração e o intervalo hídrico menos limitante. Concluiu-se de forma geral que houve maior crescimento das plantas entre as densidades de solo de 1,50 e 1,60 Mg m-3. O solo salinizado apresentou maior IHO que o solo não salinizado, refletindo em maior massa fresca da parte aérea para valores de densidades do solo entre 1,49 e 1,66 Mg m-3. As densidades críticas observadas para o Espodossolo foram de 1,70 Mg m-3 para o solo não salinizado e de 1,77 Mg m-3 para o solo salinizado.

ABSTRACT The impacts of agricultural mechanization and soil management on sugarcane activity may compromise the growth of plants. This study aimed to evaluate the initial growth of sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) at soil densities under two salinity conditions, associated with the least limiting water range (LLWR), and obtain the critical density for the Spodosol. The treatments consisted of the use of five bulk densities (1.40; 1.50; 1.60; 1.70 and 1.80 Mg m-3) and two conditions of soil salinity (ECse = 0.5 and 3.0 dS m-1). Morphological variables and biomass of sugarcane plants were measured and, simultaneously, undisturbed soil samples were collected in the layers of 0.02-0.08 m to determine the water retention curve, soil resistance to penetration and the least limiting water range. In general, it was concluded that sugarcane plants has higher growth between the bulk densities of 1.50 and 1.60 Mg m-3. The salinized soil showed higher LLWR than the non-salinized soil, leading to higher shoot fresh mass at bulk densities between 1.49 and 1.66 Mg m-3. The critical bulk densities observed for the Spodosol were 1.70 Mg m-3 for the non-salinized soil and 1.77 Mg m-3 for the salinized soil.

Density functional theory (DFT) (B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p)) calculations of the interacting strength 1,2-dithiolene anionic ligands with the [M(OH2)4]2+ and [M(OH2)2]2+ complexes (M = Ni and Zn) were performed. Three series of ligands were studied: compounds with an aromatic ring, with an ethylene moiety and with a heterocyclic ring. The ligands have substituents electron donors and acceptors by induction and resonance. Two substitution reactions were studied: the first is the substitution of two water molecules from the [M(OH2)6]2+ by a dithiolene anionic ligand (L2-) and the second is the substitution of two water molecules from the [M(OH2)4L] by another dithiolene anionic ligand. Geometric, electronic and energetic properties of the substituted aquacations are correlated with the metal-ligand affinity. All the substitution processes for both metal cations are spontaneous and are modulated by the electronic effect of each substituent of the ligand. Geometric parameters and chelation angle are correlated with the interaction strength. The energy decomposition analysis (EDA) results show that the electrostatic component is the main stabilizing term for the monosubstituted complexes, while for the disubstituted complexes the covalent term is the main stabilizing component. The polarization term is the main one to describe the covalent character. Natural bond orbital (NBO) shows the acid-base interaction nature of the metal-ligand bond.

The benzophenones are synthetic and natural compounds presenting a variety of activities, including photoprotective, cytotoxic and antiviral. It is herein described the preparation of a series of twenty-seven benzophenone derivatives bearing 1,2,3-triazole functionalities and the evaluation of their photoprotective, cytotoxic and antiviral on Zika Virus (ZIKV) activities. The compounds were prepared in three steps, namely reduction of benzophenone, alkylation of diphenylmethanol and CuAAC reactions. The in vitro evaluation of the photoprotective activity revealed that the most active derivative 4-((benzhydryloxy)methyl)-1-(4-nitrobenzyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazole (4k) displayed UVB sun protection factor equal to 6,9±0,53, which make this compound a possible candidate to be used in formulations for photoprotective applications. In terms of cytotoxicity, the compounds were evaluated against MDA-MB-231 and B16F10 cell lines. It was observed that the compounds were more active against MDA-MB-231 cells and three of them were capable of reducing cell viability by approximately 55% at 100 µmol L-1. In the antiviral screening against ZIKV, compound 4-(3-benzhydryloxy)propyl)-1-(3-methylbenzyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazole (5j) was the most effective in mantaining Vero cell viability.

RESUMO Objetivo: apresentar uma análise descritiva dos resultados de um pacote de cuidados aplicado em pacientes obesos submetidos à cirurgia bariátrica, no que diz respeito ao controle de infecção. Métodos: um pacote de cuidados foi estruturado, visando a conter as taxas de infecção de sítio cirúrgico (ISC) em pacientes submetidos à cirurgia bariátrica. O pacote incluiu interrupção de tabagismo, banho com clorexidina 4% duas horas antes da cirurgia, cefazolina 2g em bolus na indução anestésica associada à administração da mesma droga com dose de 1g em infusão contínua, tricotomia apropriada, controle glicêmico, oxigênio suplementar, normotermia, controle da dor com morfina intrarraquidiana e remoção do curativo estéril 48 horas após a cirurgia. Todos os pacientes foram seguidos por 30 dias. Resultados: entre os 1.596 pacientes incluídos, 334 (20,9%) foram submetidos à cirurgia aberta e 1.262 (79,1%) à cirurgia videolaparoscópica. As taxas de ISC foram de 0,5% no grupo submetido à cirurgia laparoscópica e de 3% nos submetidos à cirurgia aberta. A incidência geral de ISC foi de 1%. Infecções intra-abdominal, do trato respiratório e do trato urinário ocorreram em 0,9%, 1,1% e 1,5% da amostra, respectivamente. Faixas mais elevadas de índice de massa corporal foram associadas a maiores incidências de ISC (p=0,001). Entre os pacientes com diabetes, 2,2% desenvolveram ISC, enquanto a taxa de infecção entre os não diabéticos foi de apenas 0,6%. Conclusão: o pacote de cuidados instituído, estruturado por estratégias centrais baseadas em evidências, associadas à medidas secundárias, foi capaz de manter baixas taxas de ISC após cirurgia bariátrica.

ABSTRACT Objective: to present a descriptive analysis of the results of a care bundle applied to obese patients submitted to bariatric surgery, regarding infection control. Methods: a care bundle was designed to control surgical site infection (SSI) rates in patients undergoing bariatric surgery. The bundle included smoking cessation, bathing with 4% chlorhexidine two hours before surgery, cefazolin (2g bolus) in anesthetic induction associated with a continuous infusion of the same drug at a dose of 1g over a two-hour period, appropriate trichotomy, glycemic control, supplemental oxygen, normothermia, intraspinal morphine for the relief of pain, and sterile dressing removal 48 hours after surgery. All patients were followed up for 30 days. Results: among the 1,596 included patients, 334 (20.9%) underwent open surgery and 1,262 (79.1%) underwent videolaparoscopic surgery. SSI rates were 0.5% in the group submitted to laparoscopic surgery and 3% in the one submitted to open surgery. The overall incidence of SSI was 1%. Intra-abdominal, respiratory tract, and urinary tract infections occurred in 0.9%, 1.1%, and 1.5% of the sample, respectively. Higher body mass index was associated with higher incidence of SSI (p=0.001). Among patients with diabetes, 2.2% developed SSI, while the rate of infection among non-diabetics was only 0.6%. Conclusion: the established care bundle, structured by core evidence-based strategies, associated with secondary measures, was able to maintain low SSI rates after bariatric surgery.

Natural naphthoquinones such as lapachol (Lp) have demonstrated promising biological activities. However, these quinones present low systemic biodisponibility due to its poor aqueous solubility. To overcome this problem, nanoemulsions (NE) formed by oily core are able to incorporate hydrophobic molecules thus enabling them to be dispersed into an aqueous phase. The present study reports the development, characterization, and physical stability of NE containing lapachol. NE formulations (F1, F2, F3, F4, and F2-Lp) were prepared using emulsion phase inversion (EPI) method and characterized in relation to droplet size, size distribution (PDI), zeta potential, and physical stability. The formulation chosen to incorporate lapachol (F2-Lp) showed droplet size in nanometric scale with homogeneous size distribution (PDI < 0.2) and negative zeta potential (about −30 mV). In addition, good physical stability of F2 and F2-Lp was demonstrated using analytical centrifugation with photometric detection where the light transmission profiles did not change throughout the dispersions. Nanoemulsion containing lapachol presented a strong reddish aspect; however, the incorporation of this naphthoquinone did not alter the main physicochemical parameters of NE formulation. The in vitro release study demonstrated a sustained release profile from NE with about 60% of lapachol released within 54 h.

Abstract This paper deals with the effect of the Single-Input Multiple-Output spatial diversity on the OFDM mobile radio signal propagating in an urban channel. From measurements performed in Rio de Janeiro city, Brazil, by using two receiving antennas at diversity, the calculated capacity presented an improvement when compared to the individual one.

Resumo Os ácaros predadores pertencentes à família Phytoseiidae constituem um dos principais inimigos naturais de ácaros fitófagos, o que possibilita o seu uso em controle biológico. Entre as principais espécies destaca-se Phytoseiulus macropilis (Banks, 1904) (Acari: Phytoseiidae). O ácaro Tetranychus urticae Koch, 1836 (Acari: Tetranychidae) é considerado uma das espécies de ácaros-praga mais importantes, atacando mais de 1.100 espécies de plantas em 140 famílias de valor econômico. Este trabalho foi realizado com o objetivo de estudar, em laboratório, os parâmetros reprodutivos do ácaro predador P. macropilis, quando alimentado com T. urticae. Os estudos foram conduzidos em laboratório à temperatura de 25 ± 2 °C, 70 ± 10% de UR e 14 horas de fotofase e foram avaliados os aspectos biológicos e confeccionada a tabela de vida de fertilidade. Foi constatada uma longevidade de 27,5 dias para fêmeas adultas e 29,0 dias para machos. A população foi estimada em aumentar aproximadamente 27 vezes (Ro) no período médio de duração de geração (T) que foi de 17,7 dias. A população do ácaro cresceu 1,2vezes/dia (λ) e dobrou a cada 3,7 dias (TD).

Abstract Predatory mites that belong to the Phytoseiidae family are one of the main natural enemies of phytophagous mites, thus allowing for their use as a biological control. Phytoseiulus macropilis (Banks, 1904) (Acari: Phytoseiidae) is among the main species of predatory mites used for this purpose. Tetranychus urticae Koch, 1836 (Acari: Tetranychidae) is considered to be one of the most important species of mite pests and has been described as attacking over 1,100 species of plants in 140 families with economic value. The objective of the present study was to investigate, in the laboratory, the reproductive parameters of the predatory mite P. macropilis when fed T. urticae. Experiments were conducted under laboratory conditions at 25 ± 2 °C of temperature, 70 ± 10% RH and 14 hours of photophase. In addition, biological aspects were evaluated and a fertility life table was established. The results of these experiments demonstrated that the longevity of adult female was 27.5 days and adult male was 29.0 days. The population was estimated to increase approximately 27 times (Ro) in mean generation time (T), which was 17.7 days. Lastly, the mite population grew 1.2 times/day (λ) and doubled every 3.7 days (TD).